37
Red-Skinned Potato Variety Development, 1990
K.A. Rykbost', H.L. Carlson% and J. Maxwell'
INTRODUCTION
Several producers in the Klamath Basin are interested in a growing market
demand for red-skinned potatoes for both fresh and seed markets. In 1990,
approximately 130 acres of Red LaSoda seed was produced in Klamath County.
Seed for other varieties is imported from other areas. Red LaSoda produces
very high yields but is light in color and is not attractive after storage.
Northwestern potato variety development efforts are primarily directed
toward russet-skinned varieties. A systematic search for superior red-skinned
varieties adapted to the Klamath Basin was initiated at KES in 1988. Objectives are to: 1) evaluate named and released red-skinned varieties; and 2)
screen progeny from red-skinned crosses in hopes of selecting a new cultivar
specifically adapted to the Klamath Basin.
I. SINGLE-HILL SEEDLING SCREENING
Procedures
The North Dakota State University potato breeding program provided firstgeneration mini-tubers from 24 crosses. In view of space limitations the
tubers were preselected to reduce their numbers from 5,848 to 3,439. Preselection was done on the basis of color, shape, physical condition, and size of
mini-tubers. Tuber size of material planted ranged from a few grams to
approximately 10 grams.
The soil was fumigated with Telone II applied at 20 gpa on April 20.
Aldicarb was banded in the seed furrow at planting at 3.0 lbs ai/A. Monitor
was applied aerially on July 15 and August 9 at 0.75 lbs ai/A. Fertilizer
applications included 600 lbs/A of 16-16-16 banded at planting and 50 lbs N/A
applied as solution 32 on June 5. Weed control was achieved with Eptam
applied at 3.5 lbs ai/A on June 5. A total of 14 inches of irrigation was
applied with solid-set sprinklers.
1/
Superintendent/Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Research Technician, respectively, Klamath Experiment Station. OR.
2/
Superintendent/Farm Advisor, University of California, Tulelake Field
Station, CA.
Acknowledgment: The supply of tuber families from the North Dakota State
University potato breeding program for single-hill, first-generation screening
is gratefully recognized. Partial funding for variety development by the
Oregon Potato Commission, the Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS), and
the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) support this program.
38
Results and Discussion
Emergence and plant vigor was excellent in all families (Table 1). Less
than two percent of the clones were removed for disease or wild plant types.
At the field selection stage 142 clones were saved. After three months in
storage, all clones were displayed and evaluated by three specialists and
three growers. Fifty clones were retained for further evaluation. These
clones exhibited superior skin color to several standard varieties stored in
the same conditions. The parents used in crosses which contributed the
highest number of clones selected were 1618-13R (17 clones) and 1408-8R (11
clones).
Five tubers from each clone selected were eye-indexed and examined for
virus infection. Clean clones will be planted in 12-hill plots at KES in
1991. Tuber-unit planting will be used to assist in detection of virus
diseases and variety mixing which may have occurred at harvest.
II. 12-HILL, SECOND GENERATION SEEDLING SCREENING
Procedures
Forty-three single-hill selections from 1989 were eye-indexed and grown in
a greenhouse for disease evaluations. Thirty-nine virus-free clones were
planted in tuber-units in 12-hill plots on May 29. Seed pieces were spaced at
12 inches with 24 inches between tuber-units. Cultural practices, timing of
harvest and selection procedures were as described for single-hill plots.
Results and Discussion
Emergence was 100 percent in most clones. Plant type and vigor was
observed at several growth stages. Two clones were removed for virus infection. Several others exhibited poor plant type and were discarded. At
harvest, 24 clones were retained for storage evaluation (Table 2). Following
three months in storage 13 clones were advanced for further evaluation in
1991. Eight of the clones are progeny of two crosses with Redsen and 1196-2R.
All exhibit excellent skin color, shallow eyes, and smooth, round to oval
tubers. Each of these parents were only used in one cross in the 1990
families evaluated as single hills. Further crossing of these parents seems
desirable.
Thirty tubers of the thirteen clones have been eye-indexed and grown in a
greenhouse for disease evaluation. Virus-free material will be tuber-unit
planted in approximately 50-hill plots at KES in 1991.
III. MULTI-HILL, THIRD-GENERATION SEEDLING SCREENING
Procedures
Twelve 10-hill selections from 1989 were eye-indexed and grown in a
greenhouse for disease evaluation. Two clones exhibited unacceptable virus
infection and were discarded. Ten clones were tuber-unit planted in approximately 75-hill plots on May 29. Seed pieces were spaced at 12 inches with 24
inches between tuber units. Cultural practices were as described for singlehill plots. Tubers were dug with a one-row digger-bagger on September 28 and
inspected by the selection team on October 1.
39
Results and Discussions
Emergence was excellent in all clones. Excessive tuber size was observed
in all clones due to low population densities. Six clones were selected for
advancement on October 1 (Table 3). On December 20, all tubers from the six
clones were sorted and graded. Approximately 25-pound samples were selected
for 1991 field plantings in Kern County, California and at Tulelake, California. Sixty tubers of each clone were eye-indexed and planted in a greenhouse
for disease evaluation. Virus-free material will be grown for seed increase
at Powell Butte and for further screening and selection at KES in 1991. Any
selections which survive 1991 screening will be advanced to statewide trials
in 1992.
IV. ADVANCED RED VARIETY TRIALS
Procedures
Eight named varieties and four numbered selections were planted at KES in
a randomized complete block design with four replications on May 25. Individual plots were two rows, 23 feet long. Seed spacing was 8.7 inches in 32-inch
rows, resulting in 60-hill plots. Fertilizer included 600 lbs/A of 16-16-16
banded at planting and 50 lbs N/A applied as solution 32 on June 5. Eptam was
applied at 3.5 lbs ai/A on June 5 and incorporated with a rolling cultivator.
Mertibuzin was applied aerially at 0.3 lbs ai/A on July 14. Standard cultural
practices were followed for disease and insect control. The trial was
irrigated with 16 inches of water with solid-set sprinklers during the season.
Vines were desiccated with 1.0 pint/A of diquat applied on August 31. Tubers
were harvested and field weights determined on September 24. Approximately.
100-pound samples, were stored from each plot and graded on November 1. Tubers
were graded to ,USDA standard classes for size, No. l's, No. 2's, and culls.
The 10 largest tubers per plot were cut to examine for internal defects.
A second experiment was planted on organic soil in the Tulelake area on
May 16. Eleven of the entries were the same and used the same seed source in
both trials. The experiment at Tulelake was a randomized complete block
design with four replications. Individual plots were two rows, 51 feet long.
Seed was spaced at 9 inches in 36-inch rows. Similar cultural practices were
followed. Vines were desiccated on September 10 and potatoes were harvested
and graded on September 24.
Results and Discussion
Tuber yields and size distribution varied widely between selections
(Tables 4 and 5). Red Pontiac produced the highest total yield and yield of
U.S. No. l's at both locations; however, tuber size was excessive. Viking also
produced excessive size. Red LaSoda achieved high yields with acceptable size
at KES, but tubers were large at Tulelake. A82705-1 produced relatively high
yields at both locations but excessive size at Tulelake. Red Cloud produced
intermediate yields at both locations. It has relatively deep eyes and only
fair appearance (Table 6). As in 1988, Red Cloud exhibited only moderate
yields in the most desirable size range (B's to 10 ounces).
40
Sangre, Red Norland, and Dark Red Norland have achieved relatively high
yields of tubers under 10 ounces quite consistently. Sangre has a tendency
for light russetting, but retains its color better in storage than several
other reds and has excellent storage characteristics, including a long dormant
period. Red Norland and Dark Red Norland are early maturing and produce
smooth tubers with shallow eyes. Under local conditions skin color is quite
similar for these selections and lighter than that of Sangre. However, both
cultivars have been rated quite high in tuber appearance.
ND2224-5R and La 12-59 have been used as parents for crosses at North
Dakota State University. Progeny from both parents have shown excellent
appearance in screening trials at KES. Both are being considered for release.
ND2224-5R was included in Western Regional trials in 1990. At Tulelake,
ND2224-5R was the outstanding selection in both yield of appropriate size
tubers and tuber appearance. At KES, its yield was only moderate in this
trial and in the Western Regional trial. Tuber size was acceptable but tuber
appearance was rated fair. La 12-59 was not outstanding at either location in
yield or appearance.
AD81567-4R was only evaluated at KES. This California selection had a low
yield and a very serious growth cracking problem. It is not worthy of further
evaluation. NDTX8-731-1R was included in this trial only at Tulelake. It
also produced a low yield and low appearance rating. In the KES Western
Regional trial it achieved a relatively high yield, but tuber size was excessive.
Red-skinned cultivars and advanced selections have been evaluated at both
locations over a three-year period. Most have failed to produce a combination
of high yields of tubers under 10 ounces, smooth tubers with shallow eyes, and
a bright skin color that is retained in storage. For local fresh market use
the storage aspect is quite important since Klamath Basin crops do not mature
early enough to fit an early market window. While a small but stable market
niche has been maintained for Red LaSoda seed, this cultivar is not a good
choice locally for fresh markets. Cultivars with much better appearance will
be required to achieve a significant fresh market niche. To date the most
likely cultivars to succeed appear to be Sangre, Red Norland, or Dark Red
Norland. The numbered selection, ND2224-5R, appears to be worthy of further
consideration. Further testing of Red Pontiac, Chieftain, Red Cloud, Viking,
and A82705-1 does not seem to be justified.
CONCLUSIONS
The initial screening of large numbers of single-hill progeny from potato
breeding programs is not labor intensive, but it does require an extensive
land base. Land requirements increase dramatically in subsequent years as
hill numbers are increased in second and third generation screening trials.
The red-skinned selection program at KES has been modified in two ways to
allow efficient use of limited land resources, while accommodating the maximum
number of single-hill selections.
41
In 1990, preselection was used to reduce the number of mini-tubers by approximately 40 percent to match available land resources. Individual minitubers of each family were discarded on the basis of skin color, physical
condition (shriveling, tuber size, and excessive sprouting), and to a lesser
extent tuber shape. As a result of preselection the material planted achieved
much higher emergence and better plant vigor than in the two previous years.
A very high percentage of clones produced tubers with relatively good skin
color and shape. At harvest, approximately four percent of the single-hills
were selected. After three months in storage a further selection was made by
comparing the progeny selected at harvest with stored samples of standard
varieties. Approximately two-thirds of the original selections were discarded
on the basis of color, eye depth, shape, tuber firmness, and sprouting. As a
result of the three-stage screening process, only one percent of the original
material provided will be advanced to the second stage of evaluation. However, based on observations of the second-generation selections in 1990, the
quality of surviving progeny will be high.
The practices of preselecting mini-tubers prior to planting and reselecting single-hill progeny after approximately three months in storage should be
given consideration for the much larger statewide program. Mini-tubers
produced in greenhouse pots from true seed may not be completely representative of their field grown progeny. However, skin color, shape, and general
appearance will be quite similar. These are the main characteristics on which
single-hill selections are made. Excessively sprouted or shriveled minitubers are unlikely to produce vigorous plants and be selected at harvest. It
is quite unlikely that a promising clone will be discarded in preselecting to
eliminate 30 to 50 percent of the clones produced from true seed.
Reselecting single-hill clones after approximately three months in storage
provides an additional observation on storability. Experience over three
years at KES has shown that early sprouting, loss of firmness, and development
of fusarium and other storage diseases may effect up to 20 percent of the
clones. These undesirable attributes will eventually lead to discarding the
clones. By eliminating them at the single-hill stage savings in eye-indexing,
land requirements for multi-hill plantings, and overall effort will be
realized.
Clonal selection programs typically retain two to three percent of singlehill progeny. If preselection and reselection procedures are incorporated it
may be desirable to field-select a somewhat higher percentage. However, with
a goal of eliminating, as quickly as possible, those clones with deficiencies,
the incorporation of these practices in the variety selection program seem
appropriate.
Table 1. First-year red-skinned seedling screening, Klamath Experiment Station, OR.
1990.
Family
No.
NDO 3839
NDO 3846
NDO 3849
NDO 3880
NDO 3892
NDO 3893
NDO 3991
NDO 3992
NDO 3993
NDO 3994
NDO 4001
NDO 4006
NDO 4009
NDO 4026
NDO 4030
NDO 4031
NDO 4032
NDO 4034
NDO 4035
NDO 4056
NDO 4057
NDO 4058
NDO 4062
NDO 4063
Clones
provided
Clones
planted
Stand
1382-6R x Mn 12945
1408-8R x 3048-2R
166018-8R x 1196-2R
2139 7R x 1871- 3R
2390-2R x 1196- 2R
2390-2R x 2050- 1R
Reddale x 1618-13R
Reddale x 2611- 8R
Reddale x 2840- 7R
Redsen x La 12-59
Ruby Red x 1618-13R
Sangre x 1618 - 13R
Viking x 2225 - 1R
La 12-59 x 1618-13R
Mn 12945 x 3049- 1R
Mn 13035 x 1618-13R
Mn 13053 x Sangre
Mn 13053 x 2391- 5R
Mn 13053 x 3170- 2R
1408-8R x Reddale
1408-8R x Sangre
2050-1R x La 12-59
2391-5R x Sangre
2391-5R x Mn 13053
221
278
286
332
180
188
463
243
194
205
346
198
188
226
279
410
263
347
248
68
125
80
107
373
143
169
204
212
88
80
233
99
102
136
158
131
109
158
175
239
159
220
171
36
78
67
60
212
97
85
96
95
98
96
97
98
97
99
91
93
96
96
97
95
89
99
95
83
87
97
88
94
Total
5848
3439
Parentage
Number selected
Oct. 1
Dec. 20
7
13
17
9
2
2
8
0
2
8
6
7
6
10
12
6
3
3
3
2
7
6
1
2
2
8
6
0
1
1
6
0
0
4
3
3
2
2
5
3
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
142
50
Table 2.
Family
No.
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
Second-year red-skinned seedling screening, Klamath Experiment Station, OR. 1990.
Parentage
2438
2469
2686
3314
3531'
3686
3756
3761
3763
Family
No.
NDO
NDO
NDO
NDO
3432
3503
3504
3573
Clones
selected
1989
Clones
planted
1990
266
281
225
82
248
144
132
92
131
11
6
10
2
6
3
1
2
2
10
5
10
2
5
2
1
2
2
7
3
7
1
2
2
1
0
1
4
1
4
1
1
1
1
0
0
1601
43
39
24
13
Redsen x 1196-2R
Viking x 1196-2R
1196-2R x Redsen
W806R x 2050-1R
NDTX9-1068-11R x 2496-5R
2428-2R x 2745-3R
Red LaSoda X 2224-5R
Red Pontiac x 1871-3R
Ruby Red x 2224-5R
Total
Table 3.
Clones
planted
1989
Clones selected 1990
Oct. 1
Dec. 20
Third-year red-skinned seedling screening, Klamath Experiment Station
Parentage
Erik x NDTX9-1068-11R
La 12-59 x NDTX9-1068-11R
La 12-59 x 1196-2R
1196-2R x La 12-59
Total
OR. 1990.
Clones
planted
1988
Clones
selected
1988
Clones
planted
1989
Clones
selected
1989
Clones
planted
1990
Clones
selected
1990
160
220
130
150
3
13
5
5
3
11
4
5
2
5
2
3
1
5
1
3
1
2
1
2
660
26
23
12
10
6
44
Table 4. Tuber yield by grade for red-skinned selections, Klamath Experiment
Station, OR. 1990.
Selection
4-6 oz
Yield U.S. No. l's
6-10 oz
>10 oz
Total
B's
cwt/A Yield
No 2's
Culls
Total
Red LaSoda
Red Pontiac
Chieftain
Red Norland
132
98
116
160
227
273
221
230
90
201
94
67
449
572
431
457
35
28
40
42
37
59
26
15
7
10
5
8
528
669
502
522
Dark Red Norland
Red Cloud
Sangre
Viking
147
95
181
63
184
164
199
154
38
63
62
223
369
322
442
440
75
36
85
18
15
35
12
101
12
3
6
11
471
397
545
570
A82705-1
ND2224-5R
La 12-59
AD81567-4R
143
120
108
93
212
172
221
112
92
38
90
35
446
330
419
240
49
56
48
39
14
12
26
72
4
5
6
16
513
403
499
367
Average
CV (%)
LSD (.05)
121
25
45
197
19
55
91
26
35
410
13
77
46
33
22
35
54
28
8
66
8
499
12
88
45
Table 5. Tuber yield by grade for red-skinned selections, Tulelake Field Station,
CA. 1990.
Yield U.S. No. l's 4-6 oz 6-10 oz
Selection
10-14 oz >14 oz Total cwt/A
Yield
B's Culls Total
Red LaSoda
Red Pontiac
Chieftain
Red Norland
151
97
193
164
96
110
78
108
109
142
50
80
117
194
29
31
473
543
350
383
13
12
30
20
52
37
18
12
538
592
398
416
Dark Red Norland
Red Cloud
Sangre
Viking
219
132
189
66
57
78
91
76
33
101
55
121
6
48
26
168
315
359
361
431
37
11
23
10
8
42
24
21
360
412
408
462
A82705-1
ND2224-5R
La 12-59
AD81567-4R
152
239
141
75
91
50
97
65
102
5
79
49
97
0
72
36
442
294
389
225
25
51
21
11
16
11
20
11
483
356
431
246
Average
CV (%)
LSD (.05)
152
15
33
83
19
23
77
33
37
69
29
29
380
13
70
22
33
11
6
183
NS
425
11
69
46
Table 6. Characteristics of red-skinned selections, 1990.
Vine
H.H.'Appear a nce Specific
Maturity' KES TFS KES TFS gravity
3
Selection
Yield
B's + 4-10 oz
KES
TFS
cwt/A
Red LaSoda
Red Pontiac
Chieftain
Red Norland
3.5
4.0
4.0
1.8
5
15
3
3
15
5
10
25
2.1
1.9
2.9
3.4
2,0
1.8
3.5
4.0
1.070
1.066
1.065
1.063
294
400
377
432
260
219
301
292
Dark Red Norland
Red Cloud
Sangre
Viking
2.0
3.3
3.3
3.3
3
0
15
3
0
5
5
0
3.5
3.4
3.3
2.8
4.3
3.3
3.3
3.8
1.062
1.074
1.067
1.071
406
295
465
235
313
221
303
152
A82705-1
ND2224-5R
La 12-59
AD81567-4R
NDTX8-731-1R
4.0
3.5
3.3
3.0
0
0
3
0
-
0
0
5
3.3
3.0
2.3
1.3
-
3.8
5.0
3.8
2.8
1.068
1.068
1.079
1.071
404
348
377
244
268
340
259
151
0
1/ Vine maturity (Aug. 30): 1 - dead, 5 - green, vigorous
2/ H.H. - hollow heart: KES - % in 10 largest tubers/plot
TFS - % in 10 tubers of 10-14 oz/plot
3/ Appearance (Tubers): 1 - poor; 3 - acceptable; 5 - best